Our Farming

Quality wines and oils begin with healthy plants that are able to fully express the soil and environment in which they grow. We believe that the use of organic and biodynamic techniques and philosophies enables plants to achieve this healthy, balanced state in nature.

Organics has been a founding principle of Seresin Estate since it began in 1992, initiated by owner Michael Seresin, who himself has been a vegetarian and organically inclined for most of his life. After practicing organics for a number of years, it was a natural progression to advance to biodynamics. Our entire estate is farmed biodynamically; this encompasses not only vineyards but our olive groves, fruit trees, native vegetation, pastoral land and vegetable gardens.

Our organic practices on the estate and in the winery are certified with BioGro New Zealand. We are biodynamically certified in the internationally recognised Demeter system.

Biodynamics is a system and philosophy of farming that recognises the soil and entire farm as a living organism. It is based on a series of lectures given by Rudolf Steiner in 1924, which have evolved into a form of farming that is now widely accepted and practised throughout the world, covering all forms of agriculture.

The respect for and care of the soil plays a prominent role in biodynamics. The biodynamic preparations form the cornerstone of biodynamic activity, and create balance and health in our soils and plants. Preparations 500 through 508 make use of cow manure, silica and small quantities of medicinal herbs to create this healthy balance, and connect the plants and the soil to the rhythms of the universe; earth, sun, moon and cosmos. All of the manure and herbs for these preparations are grown and collected from across our farm.

Through biodynamic practices our farm has become more self sufficient. By supplying our needs from within our Estate we are able to reinforce the identity of our land in our produce. The result is that our wines and olive oils are more expressive of our farm and have a unique sense of place.